Committee of Supply 2023 debate, Day 6: Masagos Zulkifli on support for lower-income households to build strong, healthy families
Lower-income households will get more support to build strong and healthy families through two regional pilot programmes this year. The aim is to help them access health services and receive holistic support for both parents and children. In the northeast, SingHealth will lead cross-domain and multi-agency efforts to support children from low-income families through Project HOME (Holistic Management & Enablement). Healthcare agencies will partner My First Campus preschools and social service agencies to jointly support case management of kids under the age of six. A similar pilot will be rolled out in the west by NUH through the HEADS-UPP (HEAlth and Development SUpport in Preschool Partnerships) programme. If the pilots are effective, they could be expanded nationwide to benefit more families. Second Minister for Health Masagos Zulkifli announced this in Parliament on Friday (Mar 3). He said his ministry recognises that some families need more support, as a single health event can be destabilising. Therefore early detection and intervention will prevent small issues from snowballing into larger problems later. Parents are also getting more practical help to raise healthy and happy children. Mr Masagos launched an advisory on screen use for kids up to the age of 12. It provides useful tips, such as how parents can be role models and set boundaries. Meanwhile, school and preschool programmes will be enhanced to better help students foster good healthy habits from a young age. Mr Masagos also touched on efforts to improve support for caregivers.
Lower-income households will get more support to build strong and healthy families through two regional pilot programmes this year. The aim is to help them access health services and receive holistic support for both parents and children. In the northeast, SingHealth will lead cross-domain and multi-agency efforts to support children from low-income families through Project HOME (Holistic Management & Enablement). Healthcare agencies will partner My First Campus preschools and social service agencies to jointly support case management of kids under the age of six. A similar pilot will be rolled out in the west by NUH through the HEADS-UPP (HEAlth and Development SUpport in Preschool Partnerships) programme. If the pilots are effective, they could be expanded nationwide to benefit more families. Second Minister for Health Masagos Zulkifli announced this in Parliament on Friday (Mar 3). He said his ministry recognises that some families need more support, as a single health event can be destabilising. Therefore early detection and intervention will prevent small issues from snowballing into larger problems later. Parents are also getting more practical help to raise healthy and happy children. Mr Masagos launched an advisory on screen use for kids up to the age of 12. It provides useful tips, such as how parents can be role models and set boundaries. Meanwhile, school and preschool programmes will be enhanced to better help students foster good healthy habits from a young age. Mr Masagos also touched on efforts to improve support for caregivers.
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